Article 1

 

The mission of the Faculty is to:

- Provide all enrolled students with the educational and knowledge achievement;

- Prepare the students on the higher education and professional levels;

- Provide the students with the scientific, methodological and technical expertise to assume the leadership responsibility in the legal professions in order to achieve justice in both public and private sectors;

- Contribute to the comprehensive and integrated development of the Lebanese society;

- Strengthen national unity;

- Enhance the cultural openness;

- Expand the scientific and cultural cooperation on the international level.

 

Article 2

 

In addition to the statements of Article 1, the Faculty aims to achieve the following objectives:

1. Cooperating and consulting with public and private administrations, institutions and bodies, in order for the teaching to become compatible with the actual needs of the labor market and the development of those needs, and to secure employment opportunities for graduates.

2. Conducting theoretical and field research related to the study of the legal, political and administrative problems of society, and encouraging members of the Teaching Staff and postgraduate students to carry out these researches and publish them.

3. Holding seminars and scientific conferences on community issues in the fields of specialization of the Faculty, and participating in conferences held by other parties in Lebanon and abroad.

4. Providing scientific consultations and field studies for public and private administrations and institutions, in accordance with the applicable regulations.

5. Providing training courses for public and private sectors in the fields of the Faculty specializations, to contribute to the development of incubators that enhance the legal aspect of startups.

 

Article 3

 

The Faculty includes:

 

a. The following specializations:

1. Law

2. Political and Administrative Sciences

 

b. The following centers:

1. Center of Lebanese Legal, Administrative and Political Studies

2. Center of Computerized Legal Information

3. Center of Academic and Research Cooperation

 

Article 4

 

The Faculty grants the students a:

1. Bachelor Degree in Law 

2. Bachelor degree in Political and Administrative Sciences

3. Professional or Research Master Degree in Law

4. Professional or Research Master in Political and Administrative Sciences

 

Article 5

 

The Research Master’s Degree includes the following tracks:

1. Law:

a. Private Law

b. Public Law

c. Criminal Law

d. Business Law

e. National and International Business Law (in cooperation with Aix-Marseille University)

 

2. Political and Administrative Sciences:

a. International Relations

b. Political and Administrative Sciences

 

Article 6

 

The research master curriculum includes a study in the field of specialization, which is finalized with a thesis prepared by the student and equal to 20 credits.

In order for the student to register the thesis subject in Semester 4, he/she must have completed at least seventy-five credits.

 

Article 7 (Amended by Decision No. 2575 dated July 21, 2016)

 

The professional Master’s Degree includes the following tracks:

a. Conflict and Arbitration and Alternatives for Conflict Resolution

b. Legal and Diplomatic Professions

- Public Law

- Private Law

c. Planning and Public Management

d. International Organizations

e. Public Law

f. Public Service

 

Article 8

 

The University Council may propose to create new research or professional specializations or cancel some of them on the recommendation of the Faculty Council.

 

Article 9 (Amended by Decision No. 2575 dated July 21, 2016)

 

Students with a law degree can be admitted to all master's programs, while students with a political science degree can be admitted to the following career paths:

- Legal and Diplomatic Careers: Public Law Track

- Planning and Public Administration

- International Organizations

- Public Law

- Public Service

 

Article 10

 

The professional master curriculum includes a field study or internship in the field of specialization of at least eight weeks (minimum of 250 working hours), which is finalized with a thesis prepared by the student and equal to 15 credits.

 

Article 11

 

The Faculty shall determine, by agreement with the institution concerned with the internship, the content thereof and the duties of the advisor and person in charge of the process in the institution.

 

Article 12

 

The University President shall appoint a Committee to discuss the student thesis on the proposal of the Dean.

 

Article 13

 

The student may transfer from one specialization or track to another. The transfer is subject to the approval of the student academic file by the Faculty Council and the availability of places in the target specialization or track. The student shall apply for transfer at least (3) three weeks before the start of the semester. In case of approval, the student shall keep the courses and credits that he/she had previously obtained if they are adopted in the new specialization.

 

Article 14

 

A student who has completed a bachelor or master’s degree in one of the adopted specializations or tracks, may register in a second specialization or track, to obtain a second bachelor or master’s degree.

The Faculty Council shall determine the admission conditions and required courses for each case, in accordance with the Faculty statutes and the required degree.

 

Article 15

 

Each branch of the Faculty is composed of the following academic departments (departments are created on the branch level):

1. Department of Private Law

2. Department of Public Law

3. Department of Political and Administrative Sciences

4. Department of International Relations

 

Article 16

 

New academic departments may be created by a decision of the University Council on the recommendation of the Faculty Council based on the proposal of the Branch Councils, if any.

 

Article 17

 

A team of academic guidance shall be established in each branch of the Faculty by a decision of the Dean after approval of the Faculty Council, for a period of two renewable years.

The team consists of four members for each branch, where the number of students does not exceed thousand students. If needed, the number may be increased by an additional member per 250 students.

The members of the academic guidance teams are selected among the tenured and full-time contractual professors in the branch. If necessary, the part-time contractual professors may be recalled.

 

Article 18

 

In order to enroll for the Bachelor Degree, the student shall be holder of the Lebanese Baccalaureate or its official equivalent. In addition, the candidates of the French Section shall be subject to a/an:

a. File study

b. Oral interview

c. Test in French language

 

Article 19

 

A student may be considered as administratively enrolled in the second academic year if he/she has obtained at least 36 credits, and in the third academic year if he/she has obtained at least 96 credits.

 

Article 20

 

The student admission conditions may be amended on the recommendation of the Faculty Council.

 

Article 21

 

The students enrolled in the Faculty for the first time shall be subject to a test in a foreign language conducted by the Office of Foreign Language Coordination at the Lebanese University in cooperation with the Faculty Council.

 

Article 22

 

The student receiving a score less than 10/20 in the foreign language test, shall be subject to pursue an intensive course in this language and sit for an exam at the end of the course and succeed as a prerequisite for the academic registration in the foreign language courses adopted in the Faculty curricula.

 

Article 23

 

The acceptance for enrollment in a master’s degree in Law and Political and Administrative Sciences shall be subject to:

 

First: Special conditions to approve students in the Master’s degree from the Lebanese University graduates:

a. Studying the student file by a committee appointed by the Dean on the proposal of the Faculty Council;

b. Holding a bachelor degree from the Lebanese University in Law or Political Sciences as per the new system, provided that some of the courses shall be subject to equivalency for the students holding a bachelor degree in Law or Political Sciences as per the old system;

c. Obtaining a GPA of 2.75/5 in the research master and adopting the BMD system (Article 22 of Decree 2225) in the three years of the bachelor degree;

d. Fulfilling some or all the following special conditions to transfer to semester 3, in accordance with the master’s specialization, on the recommendation of the Faculty Council:

- File study

- Oral interview

- Test in a foreign language

- Test in the specialization subject

Provided that a limited number of students are selected in each specialization upon the decision of the Faculty Council on the recommendation of the Branch Council.

 

Second: Special conditions to approve students in the Master’s degree from the private university graduates:

a. Holding a bachelor degree and its official equivalent in Law or Political Sciences from a recognized university;

b. Obtaining an average of not less than 70/100 in the bachelor degree or a GPA of 3.5/5 for the professional or research master;

c. Fulfilling other special conditions as per the master’s specialization;

d. Being subject to student assessment requirements;

e. Not exceeding 10% of the total of admitted students.

 

Article 24

 

Students enrolled in the professional master's degree in Law may register in Semester 3 of the research master's degree in Law and students registered in the professional master's degree in Political Sciences may register in Semester 3 of the research master's degree in Political Sciences under the following conditions:

a. Studying the student academic file by a committee appointed by the Dean on the proposal of the Faculty Council;

b. Completing all Master courses of Semesters 1 and 2 and obtaining an average of not less than 65/100 or a GPA of not less than 3.5/5;

c. Fulfilling other special conditions as per the master’s specialization on the recommendation of the Faculty Council and the approval of the University Council among which:

- An oral interview

- A test in a foreign language

- A test in the specialization subject

 

Article 25

 

Students admitted for a bachelor of master’s degrees and who have studied in other faculties of the Lebanese University, may request the equivalence of some courses they have previously obtained.

This request is based on the equivalency system identifying the terms for recognition of credits received outside the Faculty and issued by the Faculty Dean on the recommendation of the Faculty Council. The number of credits that can be transferred shall not exceed (60) credits in the bachelor degree and (30) credits in the master’s degree.

 

Article 26

 

The Master's degree study period may not exceed four years from the date of the first administrative enrollment in the first semester, whether or not the student was enrolled academically.

 

Article 27

 

The student may register the thesis subject in Semester 4, provided that at least seventy-five credits have been completed, and that the student's discussion is accepted immediately after completion of the master's courses.

 

Article 28

 

The student shall complete his/her academic registration at least one week before the commencement of teaching in the semester, and shall use the accredited academic guidance professors for this purpose. The student has the right to reconsider his/her academic registration within two weeks at the latest from the commencement of teaching in the semester.

 

Article 29

 

In the academic registration, the student shall determine the courses in which he/she wishes to register under the compliance with the pre-requisite rule.

 

Article 30

 

A student may not enroll in courses whose total balance exceeds thirty credits per semester.

If the student has failed in or dropped previous courses, he/she is entitled to enroll in six additional credits (6), provided that he/she first enrolls in the failed courses and completes the enrollment in new courses.

 

Article 31

 

The students' attendance of the fundamental courses, practical courses and tutorials is subject to the following provisions:

1- The students’ attendance is mandatory in:

- The fundamental courses of the research and professional Master’s degree;

- The fundamental courses of the bachelor degree in the French Section of the Faculty;

- The practical courses and/or tutorials of all bachelor and master’s degrees and in both specializations.

2- The student's attendance shall not be less than 70% of the hours allocated for each course.

3- The Faculty Council may amend the rules of attendance of students for the fundamental and applied courses.

4- A student who does not comply with the said provisions shall be denied entry to the final exam, in which he/she did not meet the attendance rate prescribed herein or in the decisions of the Faculty Council.

 

Article 32

 

The number of students shall not exceed 40 students in the classes of the practical courses.

 

Article 33

 

Any student shall obtain a zero if he/she sits for an exam in:

- An elective course other than the one he/she enrolled in academically at the beginning of the semester;

- A foreign course other than the language enrolled in academically at the beginning of the semester.

 

Article 34

 

The final score of each course for which the student sits for a written exam at the end of the semester, is divided between the continuous assessment score and the final exam score.

 

Article 35

 

In the continuous assessment, various evaluation methods are used such as written tests, preparation of reports and research, and tutorials, provided that the number of activities, subject of the continuous assessment, is not less than two per semester in each course.

 

Article 36

 

A continuous assessment score for each course consists of 30% from the final score in the bachelor and master’s degrees.

 

Article 37

 

The continuous assessment score is calculated based on the following:

1. The partial written test score and the student participation score in the courses that have practical courses or tutorials;

2. The score shall be divided as follows: 10% to evaluate the student's effort, participation and discussion in the practical courses or tutorials, and 20% for the partial written exam score. In courses that have no practical courses or tutorials, the continuous assessment score consists of 10% for research work and 20% for partial written test score of the final score.

 

Article 38

 

The teacher of the course will conduct the partial exam in the classroom under the supervision of the Branch Director.

 

Article 39

 

In the event that the student fails to sit for a partial exam in one or more courses for reasons of coercion or force majeure, the Faculty Dean may authorize the student to sit for this exam on the recommendation of the Branch Council.

 

Article 40

 

The student, who did not sit for the exam in the first and second sessions in the same course for reasons of coercion or force majeure, a re-sit exam may be held by a decision of the University President on the proposal of the Faculty Council.

 

Article 41

 

The student is considered to have passed in a course and therefore, shall obtain the credits assigned thereto, if he/she obtains a final score of at least 50/100 or a score below 50 and not less than 40. However, the student shall have completed the registration in all courses of the semester and obtained a GPA of not less than 55/100.

 

Article 42

 

If the student fails in one or more courses with the results of the first course exams, only the continuous assessment score of these courses is transferred to the second session. If the student fails to present the scores of the continuous assessment for the exam at the first session, he/she is not entitled to present it at the second session and shall not benefit from the system of compensation between the semester courses.

 

Article 43

 

The late student is not entitled to enter the examination room if the delay exceeds a quarter of an hour. No student is allowed to leave the examination room before half the examination time has elapsed.

 

Article 44

 

The student has the right to submit an application to prove that there is no material error in a course score, within three days at most from the date of announcing the result of this course. The examining committee shall inspect the student exam under the supervision of the Branch Director and the head of the concerned department. If there is a material error, the score shall be amended by consensus of the attendees.

 

Article 45

 

If any student caught cheating or attempting to cheat, all the courses that he/she is entitled to submit in the examination shall be considered null and void, subject to the provisions of the laws in force.

 

Article 46

 

The student may transfer from one university branch to another within the Faculty by a decision of the Dean, provided that he/she:

1- Applies for transfer within (15) days at most from the commencement of teaching in the semester;

2- Completes 50% at most of the credits required to obtain the target degree;

3- Obtains the approval of both directors of the branches concerned after reviewing the student's academic file;

4- Fulfilling special conditions related to the French Section.

 

Article 47

 

The curricula for the bachelor and master's degrees in Law and in Political Sciences shall be determined in accordance with attached tables (1) and (2).

These curricula shall be amended upon the proposal of the Faculty Council and the approval of the University Council.

 

Article 48

 

The implementation of these bylaws shall take into account the special provisions contained in agreements concluded with international academic bodies.

 

Article 49

 

These bylaws shall enter into force starting from the academic year 2015-2016 and shall be communicated as needed.

 

 

Article 1 Joint Master's Program

 

The Joint Master in Strategic Studies is a two-year postgraduate program at the Faculty of Law, Political & Administrative Sciences, in accordance with the agreement signed with the Lebanese Army. The selection of professors, the admission of students, and the awarding of the degree are carried out in accordance with the university regulations, taking into account the special provisions of the agreement, which is the reference in interpreting the provisions of this regulation.

The mission of the Joint Master in Strategic Studies contributes to achieving the comprehensive and integrated development of the Lebanese society, enhancing communication between the Lebanese Army and the Lebanese University and thus strengthening national unity as well as civil-military relations through the establishment of a joint research master, which includes civilian and military students.

 

Article 2 Joint Management Board

 

First: The board established according to Article 4 of the agreement shall be responsible for the following tasks:

1. Following up on the implementation of the agreement and submitting the necessary suggestions and recommendations to the University Presidency and the Lebanese Army Command.

2. Proposing the amendment of the Master's curricula and referring it to the University Council through the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Political & Administrative Sciences after the approval of the Faculty Council.

3. Studying the files of student candidates and supervising the exams.

4. Following up the exams.

5. Following up the affairs of students and faculty members.

 

Second: The board meets at the Research & Strategic Studies Center in the Lebanese Army, or at the headquarters of the Deanship of the Faculty of Law, Political & Administrative Sciences.

 

Third: The board's archives are kept at the headquarters of the Deanship of the Faculty of Law, Political & Administrative Sciences, and a duplicate copy at the Center for Research & Strategic Studies.

 

Fourth: The board meets at the invitation of the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Political & Administrative Sciences or the Head of the Center for Research & Strategic Studies, as needed, and takes its decisions by consensus.

 

Article 3 Special Conditions for Student Admission

 

In accordance with the provisions of the agreement with the Lebanese Army, a candidate for the Master of Strategic Studies should fulfill the following requirements:

- A university degree in one of the following majors: Law, Political Science, History, Geography, Business Administration, Economics, Social Sciences, Media.

Proficiency in one or more foreign languages.

- Exercising a public job (third category and above or its equivalent in public institutions), or officers affiliated with security institutions other than the army, or practicing a free profession for more than five years, provided that graduates of the Faculty of Law, Political & Administrative Sciences are exempted from this requirement.

- As for Lebanese Army officers, the officer is required to hold the rank of major and above.

 

Article 4 File study and entrance exam

 

1. In October of each year, the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Political & Administrative Sciences announces the opening of the Master of Research program and circulates a special announcement to the head of the Center for Research & Strategic Studies to be distributed to all faculties of the Lebanese Army.

The announcement shall specify:

- Deadlines for accepting applications.

- The date and time of the announcement of those accepted to take the written exams.

- Date of announcement of the final results.

2. After receiving the applications, the board meets to study the files according to the criteria specified in Article 5 of the agreement, and those accepted for the written tests are determined.

3. Candidates take a mandatory foreign language test in French and English. For civilian students, the test is administered by the Languages Department at the Lebanese University. For officers, it is administered by the Army Command's Operations Staff - Education Directorate.

4. Candidates will take a written exam on a general topic decided by the Joint Management Board and administered at one of the Lebanese University facilities.

5. Candidates with the highest total score will be admitted according to the ranking resulting from the sum of the points obtained by each student as a result of the tests taken.

6. The classification is issued according to two lists: One for officers and one for civilian students.

 

Article 5 Number of students

 

The number of students accepted to study in the Master's program is limited to eighteen students, including nine civilians and nine officers, based on the agreement signed between the Lebanese University and the Lebanese Army.

 

Article 6 Registration

 

The student should complete his/her academic registration after passing the CEE at the place specified in the announcement issued by the Deanship of the Faculty of Law, Political & Administrative Sciences.

 

Article 7 Attendance

 

1. Classes at the Center for Research & Strategic Studies are given in the afternoon three days a week (2:30 pm - 9:30 pm). Other days may be added to cover the scheduled courses or to give lectures by non-faculty members to enrich the student's knowledge.

2. Students' attendance is mandatory at all times when courses are taught.

3. The student's attendance in these courses should not be less than 80% of the number of hours allocated thereto, provided that the student justifies his absence with an acceptable excuse.

4. A student who does not comply with attendance in accordance with the aforementioned provisions shall be deprived of taking the exam in the course for which he did not fulfill the attendance percentage prescribed in this system.

5. Students benefit from the services of the Center's library and the library of the Faculty of Law, Political & Administrative Sciences in accordance with the instructions of these two libraries.

 

Article 8 Assessment and Examination

 

1. The final grade assigned to each module consists of the sum of the continuous assessment grade and the final research grade for the module.

2. Continuous assessment utilizes various evaluation methods such as written tests, reports, and research.

3. The grade is calculated according to the following principles:

10% for evaluating the student's effort, participation and discussion in the courses.

25% for the oral report discussion.

25% for a research paper or a critical review of a book.

40% for the final written research paper on a topic chosen by the course professor or the student after the professor's approval, provided that the applicable academic standards are respected.

4. If a student fails to submit or participate in any of the required works in each course, he/she will not be allowed to continue studying in the respective course.

5. Any student who submits an exam in a foreign course in a language other than the language in which he/she is academically registered at the beginning of the semester will receive zero points.

6. The nature of the teaching curriculum in this program requires student participation and interaction with the professor and each other within academic standards, taking into account the nature of the political academic program, so that the student can express his opinion supported by logical arguments, scientific facts and statistical figures.

 

Article 9 Terms of success

 

The required passing average is 50/100 and above for each course.

The student is promoted from the first year to the second year if his/her total average score is 50/100 and above, provided that the score is not less than 50/100 for more than two courses.

The Master's degree requires passing all required courses, in addition to the thesis.

 

Article 10 Duration

 

The duration of the Master's degree may not exceed a maximum of four years from the date of the first administrative enrollment in the first semester. No extension is allowed for any reason whatsoever.

 

Article 11 Thesis

 

The student can register the thesis topic at the end of the second semester and before the end of the third semester, according to the registration procedures established at the Faculty of Law, Political & Administrative Sciences.

 

Article 12 Curricula

 

The curricula of the Master's program shall be determined according to the attached tables, which are an integral part of this decision and shall be amended based on the proposal of the Joint Administrative Board and after the approval of the Faculty Council of the Faculty of Law, Political & Administrative Sciences and the Lebanese University Council.

 

Article 13 Completion of studies

 

Students with a Master's degree in Strategic Studies can complete their PhD studies at the Doctoral School of Law, Political, Administrative & Economic Sciences, provided they pass the exams administered by the Doctoral School.

 

Article 14 Miscellaneous provisions

 

1. When applying or interpreting these regulations, the provisions of the agreement between the Lebanese University Faculty of Law, Political & Administrative Sciences and the Lebanese Army and the Center for Strategic Research & Studies shall be taken into account.

2. In everything that does not contradict these regulations, the Joint Master in Strategic Studies is subject to all regulations in force at the Lebanese University, especially the bylaws of the Faculty of Law, Political & Administrative Sciences.

3. Students should abide by the instructions and respect the regulations issued by the Lebanese Army and the Center for Strategic Research & Studies.

 

Beirut, 27 July 2016

President of the Lebanese University

Adnan Al-Sayyed Hussain